The inventive fiber manufacturing process is particularly adapted for demanding applications such as sports racquets, including tennis racquets, badminton racquets and other sports applications. Because of the improved strength to weight ratio of components formed using the inventive method, a wide range of flexibility is achieved, allowing use of the inventive process to manufacture, for example, a fiber reinforced (for example, graphite) modular sports racquet, optionally provided with user-selectable weights and/or handle replacements. From the standpoint of the player, this allows a racquet frame featuring self customization. From the standpoint of a retailer, the benefit provided is reduction of inventory. The inventive fiber, for example graphite fiber) racquet frame is filled with a plastic foam and is formed using, for example, microencapsulation technology to time, generate and apply the pressure used to form the graphite composite material of which the racquet is comprised. Advantageously, inner and outer tubular members may be used to form the racquet frame, with the inner tubular member extending around the head of the racquet frame. This compares to the standard industry technique of air injection. The racquet is thus not hollow like conventional graphite racquets, and the walls therefore can be made thinner than those of existing graphite racquets still being of the same strength or being stronger, which gives the racquet exceptional performance. In addition, the overall dimensions of, for example the cross-section, of the racquet can also be reduced while still maintaining performance characteristics.

Multilayer film of at least three layers, one core layer and at least one sealing layer wherein the sealing layer comprises a linear low density polyethylene having a density in the range of 0.915 to 0.925 g/cm.sup.3, and the core layer comprises a propylene 1-hexene copolymer, said copolymer has an 1-hexene content in the range of 2.0 to 5.0 wt.-% and a xylene soluble fraction in the range of 0.3 to 15.0 wt.-%.

A biaxially-oriented polyethylene (BOPE) multilayer film comprises a skin layer with a matte surface and a core, the skin layer with a matte surface comprising, in weight percent (wt %) based upon the weight of the skin layer: (1) from 20 to 80 wt % of an ethylene-based polymer, and (2) from 80 to 20 wt % of a propylene-based polymer; each of the ethylene-based polymer and the propylene-based polymer having a storage modulus, with a difference between the storage modulus of the ethylene-based polymer and the propylene-based polymer of greater than 40 megaPascals (MPa) at 110° C., and greater than 18 MPa at 120° C.

The present disclosure provides a multilayer film containing at least three layers, including (A) a core layer containing a high density polyethylene (HDPE) having a density from 0.940 g/cc to 0.980 g/cc; and (B) skin layers on opposite sides of the core layer. Each skin layer includes (i) a propylene/ethylene copolymer with from greater than 0 wt % to 5 wt % units derived from ethylene comonomer; (ii) from 3,000 to 3,500 ppm of a slip agent; and (iii) from 4,000 to 10,000 ppm of an antiblock agent.

A biaxially-oriented polyethylene (BOPE) multilayer film comprises a skin layer with a matte surface and a core, the skin layer with a matte surface comprising, in weight percent (wt %) based upon the weight of the skin layer: (1) from 20 to 80 wt % of an ethylene-based polymer, and (2) from 80 to 20 wt % of a propylene-based polymer; each of the ethylene-based polymer and the propylene-based polymer having a storage modulus, with a difference between the storage modulus of the ethylene-based polymer and the propylene-based polymer of greater than 40 megaPascals (MPa) at 110° C., and greater than 18 MPa at 120° C.

A carbon fiber reinforced skateboard is formed of laminated wood layers having identified grain directions. Upper and lower wood layers will have a grain direction parallel to a long axis of the skateboard. The skateboard will have interspersed wood layers with identified grain directions perpendicular to the long axis. Carbon fiber reinforcing material is adhered to interior plies of the skateboard along the long axis. A central portion of the reinforcing material is adhered below a central vertical point of the skateboard between the skateboard trucks. Anterior and posterior portions of the reinforcing material are adhered above the central vertical point and are located around the attachment locations for the skateboard trucks. The reinforcing material is located to provide a strengthened spine for the skateboard. A first concavity is located between the skateboard trucks parallel to the long axis. Second and third concavities are located perpendicular to the long axis.

A post comprises a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a connection arrangement for fixing the post to the ground or the bottom under water and wherein the post is tubular. A first layer of the post is made of a plastic and a second layer is made of a composite material having a higher e-modulus than that of the plastic and wherein the first layer comprises at least one hole which the composite material of the second layer extends at least partly into.

A footwear includes an upper part attached to a sole. The upper part is formed by at least two footwear defining parts. The at least two footwear defining parts include a vamp and a quarter. At least one of the at least two footwear defining parts are formed by a leather laminate. The leather laminate is formed as a composite laminate having a leather layer laminated to a reinforcing fabric via an adhesive. The leather layer is at least a part of an outer surface of the footwear.

A leather laminate composite includes a leather layer and reinforcing fabric laminated together via an adhesive. The adhesive includes water vapor passages.

Methods and apparatus are discussed for an electric powered personal transportation vehicle with electric motors powered by one or more batteries. A set of universal battery mounting hole locations and a reserved space for one or more battery housings exist on a board for the personal transportation vehicle. The reserved space on the board for the one or more battery housings that house one or more battery packs is set to not interfere with an operation of the motors or the wheels. A first battery pack containing the one or more batteries differs in at least one of i) a different amp-hour capacity, ii) a different length, width, or height, and iii) a different shape than another battery pack designed to be physically contained in the one or more battery housings and electrically connect with corresponding electrical connections in the one or more battery housings.